AT&T Seeks Over $2 Billion for Mexican Mobile Unit Amid Dominant Competition.

AT&T is seeking over $2 billion for its Mexican mobile unit, which has struggled to gain ground on Carlos Slim's dominant carrier Telcel. The unit has around 18% of the Mexican mobile market, compared to Telcel's 64%. The sale process is ongoing, but there is no guarantee that a buyer will be found.

AT&T Inc. is reportedly seeking more than $2 billion for its Mexican mobile unit, as it continues to struggle for market share against Carlos Slim's dominant carrier, Telcel. The ongoing sale process reflects AT&T's decade-long effort to compete in the Mexican market, where Telcel holds a commanding 64% of the market share compared to AT&T's 18% [1].

Deliberations are still ongoing, and no final decisions have been made. The Mexican mobile market has been dominated by Telcel, a subsidiary of America Movil SAB, controlled by Slim and his family. Despite significant investments, including the acquisition of Grupo Iusacell SA and NII Holdings Inc.'s Mexican wireless operations, AT&T's market share remains significantly behind that of Telcel [1].

The telecommunications reform in Mexico had initially raised hopes that international companies could challenge Slim's dominance. However, recent legislative moves to eliminate the independent regulator have been criticized by the US Trade Representative, potentially complicating the market dynamics further [1].

AT&T's struggles in Mexico come amidst its focus on expanding its fiber network and bundling home internet and mobile phone services in the US. The company's Mexican unit is not the only telecommunications group looking to exit the market; Spain's Telefonica SA is also reported to be considering the sale of its Mexican operations [1].

The sale of AT&T's Mexican unit could have significant implications for the Mexican telecommunications landscape. As the market remains highly competitive, the potential buyers and the terms of the sale will be critical factors to watch.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-07/at-t-said-to-seek-more-than-2-billion-for-mexico-mobile-unit
[2] https://newsable.asianetnews.com/markets/at-t-seeks-over-2-billion-for-mexico-unit-after-a-decade-of-trying-to-compete-with-carlos-slim-s-telcel-report-articleshow-9d0nrzg